Our physicians may send you to a specialized Mohs surgeon for treatment of a skin cancer. This process was developed by Dr. Fred Mohs in the 1930’s. In this process, the skin cancer is removed in stages. Immediately after each stage is removed, the samples are mapped and slides are reviewed to see if there is any residual tumor. If the cancer is still present, only those areas are removed in the next stage. In this way, complete removal of the skin cancer is achieved with minimal removal of normal surrounding skin. For this reason, Mohs surgery is called a “tissue-sparing” technique. This process can take several hours, with “rest” times between stages. While the patient relaxes in the waiting room, the Mohs surgeon is preparing and reviewing the slides. Once the tumor has been completely removed, the wound is repaired.
